Farmers to stage protest in Mysore over Cauvery issue

Bangalore: Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) will stage a protest in Mysore on Monday demanding a permanent solution to Cauvery river water sharing row between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

"Farmers from Mandya, Mysore, Hassan, Chamarajanagar, Ramnagar, Chikmagalur and Tumkur will take part in the stir," KRSS leader KS Puttanaiah told reporters at Mysore, some 140 kilometers away from Bangalore.

The state government should strongly present its case and appraise the Prime Minister that Karnataka is reeling under drought and is difficult to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, he said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is scheduled to chair a Cauvery Water Tribunal meeting in New Delhi on September 19.

Mr Puttannaiah urged political parties to bury their differences and work towards finding a permanent solution to Cauvery row.

He also urged the government to stop release of additional water from Kabini dam.

KRRS will also hold a massive convention at Shimoga on September 26, Mr Puttanaiah said.